Self-propelled vehicle.



PATENTED JULY 3 1906.

v No. 825,225.

H. LEMP. SELI PROPELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14, 1904.

liEET 1.

Inventor: Hermann Lernz,v

No. $245,225. EATENTEE JULY s, 1906.

E: LEME. SEEE EROPEELEE VEHICLE.

AVPPLIOATION FILED JAN. 14, 1904.

SHEETS-SHEET 2,

Wl-Tflgsss: l' M., l miswm n Lamp;

IIJ-VENTURE E. LEMPr SEEE EEOEELLED VEHICLE.

APPLICATION FILED JAN.14, 1904.

PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

4 SHEETS-SHBET 3,

Witnesses:

.AH'M

- I Inventor:

Hermann Lamp.

una

l PATENTED JULY 3, 1906.

H. LEMP.

SELF PROPELLBD VEHICLE. APPLICATION FILED JAN. 14. 1964.v

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.,'

. Invemm? Hermann Lem hicles, and has especial reference to that class of the generator and the power delivered to i, grades or on bad roads so much current is re- L ical limits of operation, so that the engine is unable to deliver its maximum output. This :ism at low speeds as -is a shunt-wound machine; but if a compound-wound machine is jprime mover, since t e available output of creasing the output of a generating unit comlcitation of the'generatoron maximum loads.

UNITED STILAEES Parnivr ormoni.

HERMANN 'LEMR OF LYNN, MASSAUHUSErl-"FS, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELEC'IRI() COMPANY, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

SELFuPROPELLED VEHICLE..

No. 825,225. I

Application filed January 14,

Specification of Letters Patent.

To a// whom, t may concern:

Beit known that I, HERMANN LEM?, a citizen of the United States, residing at Lynn, county of Essen, State of Massachusettahave invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Self-Propelled Vehicles, of which. the following is a s ecification.

. My invention re ates to self-propelled veof vehicle which derives its motive power from an electric generator driven by a prime mover-such, for instance, as an internalcombustion engine.

When 'the speed ofthe vehicle is controlled by varying the speed of the prime mover over Wide ranges, thereby varying the voltage the motors, I have found that a compoundwound kgenerator -ives very good results, since it is not so like y to lose its 'field magnetemployed it may happen that on heavy uired to drive ythe motors that the series eld'of the generator becomes too strong and pulls the engine speed down below economiswparticularly likely to happen when an internal-con'ibustion en ine is employed. for the such engines falls off rapidly with decreasing of t e generator is weakened or cut out the eng ne speed is increased for a given generator voltage and may be brought back within economical limits of operation, so that the maximum output of the engine is delivered to the generator. i

My invention consists in the method of inprising an internal-combustion engine and a compound-Wound generator which consists in decreasing or cutting out the series ex- "My invention also consists in the combination inaself-propellcd vehicleof prime mover,

. i 'compound-wound generator, driving motori .or motors, and means for weakening or cuti tin out the series excitation of the generator My inventionfurtlicr consists in co'iiibiniilg i the Switch for cutting out the soi'ics ficld of i dent from the following specification and accompanying drawings, in which- Fi ure 1 shows a side elevation of an automobi e arranged in accordance with my invention. Fig. 2 shows a'plan view of the same with the vehicle-body removed to show the frame and motive parts. Fig. 3 shows a controller with its contacts developed iii a plane surface, together with the circuits therefor, arranged for the control of a compound-wound generator and two series niotors. Fig. 4 shows a set of diagrams illustra'ting the circuit connections of the motors corresponding to the several positions of the controlling-switch. Fig. 5 shows .a pers ective View of one of themeans forcontro ling the prime mover and for varying the excitation of the generator.

Referring first to Figs. 1 and 2, A represents the frame of the machine, upon which is mounted the car-body B, to which are secured in the usual manner the bearings for the Wheels W. Also secured to frame A is the auxiliary frame C, upon which are supported the `prime mover or engi-ne E and the generator (x, ed upon the shaft of engine E. I M M represent two electric motors which-are mounted on the rear axle in theordinary manner and each of which drives one of the rear wheels W through the gear g.

Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, D represents the controlling-switch for the electric circuits, comprising nine stationary contactfingers and the movable contacts, as shown. The controller is arranged for three positions, (indicated byu', 2, and 3l and 1h and 2b, respectively.) The positions 2" and 3 represent thc runningl positions of thc controller. Wlicn the conti oller is in the position 2, the generator (i is connected to the two motors M M in series, as indicated by diagram 2** of Fig. 4, 'l his position corresponds to the ordinary slow-speed series position of controllers for -similar circuits. When the yon @avy loads. switch l) is in position 3, the motors are connected in parallel, this position corresponding to'tlie ordinary thigh-speed position of the armature of whi ch is niount- Ioo . when the pedal H is depressed the raised, rotating shaft l in its bearings'. The

.euch controllers. if the carriage is running with the controller on position 3" or 3 and 1t is desurd lo brake ille carriage, the controller is thrown lo the position Lb, which. corre-g sponds lo diagram 1" motors` are shown slnirt-circuited through a of Fig. 4, in which the resistance lt, therebv obtaining a braking efi .M h h is desired lo brake, the controller may be moved to po iiion l, which corresponds to the braking connections for backward rotation, as shown indiagram 1a of 4.

By means of the controlling-switch and arrangement of circuits heretofore described the' flexibility of electrical control is utilized in the ordinary manner but when this control alone is used constant manipulation of the controlling-switch 'is necessitated, requirinf7r skill and constant attention on the part o the operator. Furthermore, the acceleration in passing from one speed to another is not uniform unless further arrangements of circuit connections are employed, necessitating further complication of the con trolling-switch and more or less waste .of power in resistances. On the other hand, if

- the control is obtained by varying the engine speed uniform acceleration of the vehicle may he scured and wear and tear on the engine reduced, since the engine is operated at a speed adapted to the power required and not constantly at full speed.

Referring to Fig. 5, H represents a footpedal mounted upon the shaft iz, which carries the lever i. Lever i is connec ed to lever k on shaft l, which runs lengthalise of the carriage, by the flexible connection Thus liever lf is iiexible connection j is used between levers i and lr, since the motion of these' levers is not in the saine line, but at right angles. Carried by shaft l are two levers m n. `'The first of these carries a Yrod o, which is .connected to the exhaust-valves of the engine in such .a

y manner that theinlongitudinal motion of rod o lvaries the lift ofthe exhaustvalves in a manner Well understood in the art. By the variation of the lift of the exhaust-Valves the mixture of the engine is regulated and the speed and torque of the engine varied. Lever nis secured to the rod 31),' which operates the ignition device of the engine in auch manner that as rod p 'is moved longitudinally the spark will be advanced or retarded in the Well-known manner and further speed con trol ofthe engine thereby secured. Rods 0 y) are given suliicient range ofv movement to ply removing the pressure.

senese vary the engine speed over a wide range. is aspring attached to rod p and to the frame of the machine and tending to retract rod p, rotating shaft Z, depressing lever k, rotating shaft 7L, and lifting pedai Hi t is an adjustable stop by means of waich the .motion ot' the link mechanism under the influence of spring s limited, The stop t is so adjust ed that when the lever pressed against the stop hby the Wing :i and the restoi the link mechan is in its corresponding position, as shown "t the drawings, the position of the spa` advance con` lrolled by rod p and the in; ofthe exhaustvalves controlled by rod o are such that the engine will revolve at a speed too low to perniit the generator G to excite to any extent regardless of the position of the controllingswitcl'i. vNow if the pedal H is slightly depressed, rotating shafts h and l an moving rods o and p forward, the spark of the engine will lie advanced and the lift of the exhaust valves increased, therebyincreasing the spec-d of the-engine. As the engine speeds up above the critical speed of the generator G the generator will pick up and will supply sufficient current to the motors M M for starting they machine. As the pedal H is further de pressed the engine s eed is further increased and the energy supp iedto the motors is also increased. l`hus by varying the presser-1 upon the pedal 'H the spee( of the engimI may be controlled over its entire range frm; a speed below the critical speed of the gcnm l ator up to the maximum speed ot' the eng The vehicle may be liroughi to rest by .1, from pedal when the link mechanism will be withdri v by spring s, the spark will he automatically retarded, and the lift ofthe exhaust-valves decreased, slowing downihe engine below the critical speed of the generator. Little or no current is then furnished hy the generator and the vehicle comes to rest.` 'This action takes place regardless ci the position of the controlling-swilch, so that for the control of the. vehicle throughout its entire range c? speed no manipulation is required ci 'the controlling-switch, which i he moved at. the start to the parallel pos ion and left there throughout future starts and stops and the ordinary running of the car;

Although l, have shown and des rihed a particular arrangement for conroll speed of the engine. con tineA of' nrt l simultaneously advancing the spark. and increasing the lift ol' the eslmust-valves, it will be understood that this particular arrange nient is in no wav essential to mv invention. lf-preferred, the admission tir/the c e m he throttled by means of the link. mechas shown." Further, i i not essential the." regulation of the mixture and the adriaan` but. instead one may precede the other, or the position ofthespark may be controlled autoseries4 position; but

rniatically by a speed-governor.

' In' the case of an internal-combustion engine drivinga compound-wound generator it sometimes occurs that at maximum load, such as on a heavy grade, a compound Winding of the generator produces too great a drag upon the engine, slowing -it down below'its most economical speed, and thereby reducing the output. I have discovered that this action ma be avoided and the maximum output of t e generating unit increased by cutting yout a art or the whole of the series winding ofthe generator at-maximum loads. In Fig.i5, u represents a switch member carried bythe shaft h and so disposed that when the foot-pedal H is fully depressed for the maximumioutput `of the engine and generator the switch member u is brought into contact With-the contact-stud c, closingr the circuit aroundy the whole or a part of the series Winding of the generator, as indicated in Fig. 3. Thusl at maximum loads the generator is run as a pure shunt-machine, a more favorable speed of the prime mover is obtained, and the maximum output of the enerating unitis increased. In o'rdei`- to urther increase the speed and output of the prime mover; if necessary, on the steepest rades, the controlling-switchDmay be move to the for ordinary grades' no manipulation of the controlling-switch is nec- .essary In Fig. 5 I have shown the pivoted catch which is adapted to engage pedal H and ho it in a sli htly-depressed position While the j engine is first started by hand. After the en- A released gine is once started the pedal H is further depressed to raise the engine speed above the critical speed of the generator, and catch g is and falls back into an inoperative position. It does not come again into use durin the operation of the machine, since the 45 vehic eis stopped gnd started without stopping thel engine. 'While for the-purpose of more clearly illustrat-in my-in'vention I have shown and describe( a complete automobile, it will be understood that many, of the parts shown and described arenot essential to my invention i land, may be greatly varied without departing appended claims 6o from the spirit of my invention.

Accordingly I do not desire to the particular construction, and arrangement of parts here shown, since changes which do not depart from the spirit of my invention and which are .within the scope of the will beA obvious to those skilled in the art.

What I claim as new, and desire-to secure by Letter'sP'at-ent ofthe United States, is`

1. The method of increasing the maximum output of :1 -generating unit comprising a to limit myselfl w prime mover and a compound-wound electric generator driven lherebv, which consists` in cutting out the series iieldoi the generator at maximum load.

2. The method of increasing lhemaximum output of a generating unit comprising an internal-combustion engine and a compound- Wound electric generator driven thereby, which consists in operating the generator as a shunt-machine at maximum loads.

3. The method of controlling a self-propelled vehicle derivin r its motive power from a compound-wound eIectric generator driven by a prime mover, which consists in starting the prime mover with the generator operating With a' compound winding and in running the generator under load as a shunt-machine.

4. The method of pclled vehicle derivin a compound-wound e controlling a self-proits motive power from ectric generator driven the generator under load operating with a compound winding and then decreasing the series excitation of the generator.

5. The method of controlling a selfropelled vehicle deriving its motive power rom a compound-wound electric generator driven by a prime mover, which consists in starting the prime mover with the generator connected as a compound machine to the work-circuit and in running the generator under full load as a shunt-machine.

6. In a self-propelled vehicle, mover, a compound-Wound. electric enerator driven thereby, an electric motor riven by said generator, and means for cutting out the series field of said generator at full load.

7. In ya self-propelled vehicle, a prime mover,l ah electric eneratordriven thereby. an electric motor driven by'said generator, meanslfoir1 sttrting said generator as a compound-wiund machineyand means for decreasing the series excitation when the generator is' running under load.

8'. In a self-propelled vehicle, y mover, an electric generator driven thereby, an electric motor driven by said generator, means for starting said prime mover with said generator connected to said motor, and means for cuttin out the series iield of said generator under lgoad.

' a prime a prime 9. In a self-propelled vehicle, a prime (generator, driven thereby,l

mover, an electric an electric motor riven by said generator, means for starting said 'generator as a compound machine, and means for running said generator as a shunt-machine. i Y

10. In a self-propelled vehicle, a rime mover, a compound-wound enerator r riven thereby, an electric motor driven by said generator, a lever, means controlled thereby for IOO IIO

varying the speed and output of said prime mover over a wide range,'and a switch operated by Seid lever to cut out the series vfield of seid generator at full load.

ll. ln e self-propelled Vehicle, an internalcoinbustion engine, en electric eneretor driven thereby, en electric motor riven by seid generator, a lever, means controlled by Seidlever for 'regulating the mixture of said engine, ineens controlled by said lever for ed* vencing the spark of said engine, :ind a` switch o )ereted by said lever to out out the series field of said generator et full load.

l l2. In a self-propelled Vehicle, an internalcoinbustion engine, an electric Generator driven thereby, un electric motor (riven by said generator, e lever, Ineens controlled by seid lever for increasing the lift of the/exhaust-valves of the engine, means controlled by seid lever for advancing the Spark of the engine, end :i switch operated by said lever for cutting out the. series field ofseid gener etor et full load. 13. In e self-propelled Vehicle, an internalcombustion en ine, e compoundwound electric eneretr riven thereby, en electric rnctor riven by said generator, ineens Vfor arlva-ncing the sperlr of seid engine, ineens forregulating the mixture of said-engine, u switch for cutting out the series eld of the generator, and n single lever controlling by its movement seid spark-advancing ineens, said mixture -regulating nie-ane end said Switch.

In witness whereof" l beve hereunto set my hand this 12th day of J enuery, 1.904.

HERMANN LEMP. Witnesses:

L. A. HAWKINe/,- EDWARD WiLLrAM-s, Jr. 

